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Karakal review

Hi All,

The title might've already suggested it () but I'm doing a review on Karakal rackets!
As a european brand Karakal doesn't seem to be getting a lot of attention on the forum, but if you ask me they really are the unsung hero of sports equipment.

First up: Grips. This is what Karakal seems to be most famous for. I've tried their PU grip. It's pricey at 3,90eur a piece, but it performs great. I really can't think of any other way to say it as "the best grip ever", period

I also have a set 7.5 point grip, more of a traditional style thin grip. It's a bit short in length but pretty absorbent en very tacky. It kinda reminds me of Wilson X-tack.

Next up: socks
I ahve the X3 socks, and I must say I'm impressed. I liked the Sotx socks a lot, they remind me of these... But, as far as I can tell, the karakal are thicker, and softer. Great quality.

And then: Bags. The RB35 is a bit small, as expected, best fit as a racketbag for 3-4 rackets and a little bit of extra stuff.
But the RB110...Oh my god... what a beast.
but a very convenient one. a shoe-compartment, two etxra compartments, a rackeyt compartment, and one huge -HUGE- center compartment. Also comes with a loose polyester-like bag for wet clothes. I love it.

i think certain brands get more attention then others and i think its a good idea to have a broad range of reviews....karakal was a brand which i was looking at but never found any info on their newer rackets....will be awaiting anxiousley for your racket review!

Mtec70:
Well, it's advertised as 70gram, but (without my scale) I'd say it feels like a light 4U. it's slightly faster than a 4U at800Def, (even though the 70 is a boxframe)
It's probably the most headheavy of the bunch, to compensate for the lack of weight
Stifness: it's a tad flexy, slightly more flexibel than my W7. (I'd call it medium-stiff)

Mtec 75
Slightly heavier than the mtec70, stiff, and just as headheavy. I'd call this a 3U-
Definatley swings heavier than the at800Def-4U. Again boxframe racket.

Mtec80T
Well, the paintjob is certainly gorgeous , or at least, I think so
Slightly less headheavy than the 70/75 but a solid 3U in weight. aeroshaped frame, swings about as heavy as my offspec W7...
oh, and it's a Stiff racket

SL80, almost the same as the mtec80 except it's an oval... a weird lookign one at that..

Mtec 85
should be heavier than the mtec80, but due to it's even balance (almost headlight) it feels lighter. aeroshaped, stiff.

Now, I should give a disclaimer, I haven't played with em yet, That should come tonight. But even then, don't expect me to give solid ratings (1-10 or something)
I'll just ramble on a bit, and give you my impressions and tell you if I liked it.
Because in my opinion, ratings are useless and way to subjective, and hard to pin down exactly

Hey jerby,
Have you tried the karakal SL70. I think its what they claim as the world lightest racket.
I tried the racket, and it doesnt give me much power on my shots, like lobs, pushes, it doesnt have that extra punch. Is it just me or do u feel it as well?

*But i am also not a very strong player to start off with So what i feel might be biased.

Yeah, I just came back from the club. Tested all rackets a bit. yeah, the sl70 is definatley very light, but because it's headheavy it doesn't feel like it... I tested the isometric version, the mtec70.

preliminary reviews
MTec 70
Just driving and pushing, defending, halfcourt shots... An amazing racket, very solid and stable, and very fast. It's a comfortable racket, flex is good (not too stiff, not to flexy). But when it comes to smashes and powershots, it just hasn't got that sting.
I'll be testing it more this week with MP at 28lbs.

Mtec 75
I liked this one better than the Mtec70, just that extra weight is great. Defense hardly suffers, power is better. A very comfortable allrounder... despite the 75g-lable, it swings like a 3U.
Again, we'll see with MP at 28lbs...

Mtec 80 Tattoo
Lookign awesome, swings fine, but can't really get a justified comment on it with the strings being next-to-dead.
Did play with it though, swingweight was heavier, but less headheavy than the Mtec 75.
MP@28 and we'll see.

Mtec85
Not my cup of tea, it's almost headlight, and swings lighter than the 75 / 80.
It's still a solid racket, and hits fine, but it's not for me...
Won't be testing more....

SL80
the oval equivalent of the mtec80, swingweight is good. headheavy / even balanced, stiff-ish.... But the sweetspot is very small, not for me...
won't be testing it.

So far, either people find it horrifying, or a beauty
I'm guilty of the second.. But then again, I have no taste

Updated review:
tested the mtec 70, 75 and 80 with MP@28lbs.

70
Very solid for a 4U/5U, handled 28lbs just fine... If you're a doublesplayer, and no real powerplayer, this is your racket! light, fast, amazing stuff...just don't expect power.
For a singlesplayer like me, I need more weight.

75
Again, solid stuff (almost a karakal trademark), the headheaviness is nice, good power for it's weight.
I'd say this is one of the best headheavy-allrounders I've ever tested.

80Tattoo
For me, this rackets suits me best. Good weight, solid feel, and still fast enough (aeroshape rules).
of all karakals, the mtec80 has the best power, though it's slightly less headheavy than the mtec70.
I'm sticking with the 80...

All in all, I'm very impressed with the quality of karakals products. Solid, stable rackets, all capable of taking high tensions (even at such light weights).

well, the stock-stuff was like 20lbs, too low for me... if it drops to 25-26, it's still playable...

the Mtec X weighs X grams, but only without strings and without any grip on it...
So, the mtec70 weighs like 80grams with string and grip...
the mtec80 feels slighlty heavier than my w7, a tad more headheavy as well.